English is considered the ‘international language of science’. For those who are not native English speakers, reading and writing scientific papers can be a significant challenge. Many papers that are published in non-English languages are overlooked, leading to breakthroughs being missed or research being carried out unnecessarily.
Science also has a language of its own, with long, hard-to-pronounce words and symbols used to describe complex concepts and processes. When scientists communicate using specialist terms, publics might assume they could never understand science and be put off finding out more.
Acronyms can become part of everyday language for those working in science, but will mean nothing to someone on the outside. Further, some words have multiple meanings and can cause confusion for anyone not embedded in a particular scientific discipline.
This year marks the 30 year fall of the Berlin Wall. When the world is becoming increasingly obsessed with building them, let’s break down the walls in science!
If the Walls of Science Could Talk... 